Knights of Tezoth

Then Alaria runs around and heals to full. She activates fury again. After that, she goes into melee with stun, getting full HP, fury, and a barrier. Don't forget to reduce my armor too, for the hit. Then we'll see.

Alaria is running and healing... (200/200) (3/5).
Ginking is running, burning, and healing... (313/380) (3/5).
Alaria uses Frenzy. AP (1/5).
Ginking moves and burns... (237/380).
Alaria uses "Stunning Inquisitor" on Ginking. Barrier (150/150). AP (0/5).
Ginking takes 85-43=42 damage (195/380). Stun -.
Ginking loses 76 HP (119/380) and hits Alaria hard. AP (0/3).
Alaria takes (crit) (85+85)*6-150-48=822 damage (1/200). Alaria's defense is reduced by 25% (48->36).

After that, Alaria switches to dirty horse-archer mode and runs around, healing to full HP while pelting Gingkink with knives.

Alaria runs around, heals herself, and throws knives...
Gingkink chases after her until he burns out his strength leaves him...

Milady Alaria Doran ultimately prevails...

The assessment of what is happening is left to Deus and the present "spectators"...

Well, Blight, you yourself understand that if Alaria hadn't gone into stealth, Lorican would have just sat in defensive mode while she was duking it out with Gingkink. I didn't really have much of a choice here, unless the goal was to lose quickly, like Rezara did. We play to win — we play to win. At least I didn't start throwing knives right away, but decided to make it more interesting.

"— This day has proven richer in spectacles than I could have hoped, and part of the contests still lies ahead." — Alsira clapped from somewhere at the other end of the hall, applauding the victor of yet another brawl.

Pestilence has no objections. Pestilence is a "stickler for the letter" and a "machine". Judge Emilia is too. Everything by the rules? Then it's OK. And as for what Deus and the spectators think — that's Deus's and the spectators' business...

The battle proved to be a tough one, and the opponents were formidable. In one corner stood Rezara — an opponent with whom crossing swords meant risking bleeding out even if you emerged victorious. In another, Lorican — the Perfect Shield of Sordgard, unmatched in defense here. And last but certainly not least, Gingkink — the antithesis of his one-eyed colleague, serving as the all-cleaving sword of the northern region. The previous battle had showcased the strengths of each of them well, but how they would perform in a miniature melee format was yet to be seen.

Rezara was the first to fall, once again succumbing to a fierce cavalry charge. It felt as though this time she hadn't even tried to win, as if she were unaware of the training opportunity that had presented itself. Meanwhile, Lorican moved in the distance. Carefully. Methodically. The Perfect Knight's intentions were clear — he was waiting for his stalwart companion to finish off the remaining opponents. What he didn't know — and couldn't have known — was that Catharsis had a trick up her sleeve. Carefully planning her next moves, she kept both knights within her field of vision while skillfully slipping out of theirs — the key was to move where they wouldn't look.

Like a raven circling above a wounded beast in anticipation of its meal, she orbited her opponents, occasionally flickering at the periphery of one or the other's vision. Not the most honorable way to wage a battle, but not forbidden by the rules either. Besides, had she shown herself, Lorican would surely have resumed his defensive stance. Or worse, he might have joined forces with the Crushing Blow against her.

The duel's victor did not surprise the Tanarsian — she had already realized that the Perfect's impenetrable defense demanded too much of his attention, leaving no room for counterattacks. And even that wouldn't have been enough to stop the force known as Gingkink Ardelisot. Despite losing his mount, the giant himself seemed not even to have broken a sweat while dispatching his opponent. And now it was her turn to clash with such a dangerous knight.

She could have taken the boring route and, taking advantage of the mighty titan's clumsiness, simply pelted him with daggers. But would that have been an interesting spectacle? And what experience would she have gained from such a duel? The chance to cross swords with someone of such exceptional strength might never come again. No, Catharsis wanted first to test herself in an "honest" fight. To see if her body could withstand Ardelisot's powerful blows before he ran out of strength. Whether she could parry them. Only thus could she learn her weaknesses. And it would help the Crushing Blow himself reach new heights as well. It was worth giving her all before falling back on the pragmatic but dull backup plan.

But the giant was not lacking in endurance — even engulfed in flames, he delivered one mighty blow after another. Each one found its mark. And it seemed the second strike carried even more force than the first. By the third blow, Alaria herself would have run out of stamina, so she retreated, picking up her throwing knives once more, still intent on emerging victorious from this battle. Gradually, step by step, victory drew closer and closer. As it turned out, even such a colossus could not fight without tiring.

When the titan fell, miraculously not shaking the arena, the Tanarsian helped him rise and recover his senses.

— That was something else, my lord Ardelisot. Please accept my sincere gratitude for such an intense battle. To match your power, I will need much more training — had this been an ordinary duel, you would surely have emerged the victor. I hope you bear me no ill will for the tactics I chose to employ.

[25] Chonchonliya: HP (100/100), SP (100/100), AP (7/7), Flask (5/5); Pegasus: HP (125/125). Flying.
[25] Drozzdrang: HP (250/250), SP (150/150), AP (7/7), Flask (5/5).
[24] Alsira: HP (140/140), SP (100/100), AP (7/7), Flask (5/5); Pegasus: HP (125/125). Flying.
[23] Axel: HP (190/190), SP (150/150), AP (5/5), Flask (5/5); Wyvern: HP (200/200). Flying.
[23] Lester: HP (190/190), SP (180/180), AP (6/6), Flask (5/5).
[20] Orvald: HP (200/200), SP (200/200), AP (6/6), Flask (5/5); Horse: HP (200/200).
[20] Ferlyuts: HP (200/200), SP (200/200), AP (6/6), Flask (5/5); Wyvern: HP (200/200). Flying.
[20] Galaharadron: HP (100/100), SP (100/100), AP (6/6).
[20] Frizmist: HP (100/100), SP (150/150), AP (6/6), Flask (5/5).
[20] Avesom: HP (170/170), SP (170/170), AP (5/5), Flask (5/5).
[18] Stefania: HP (230/230), SP (130/130), AP (5/5), Flask (5/5); Pegasus: HP (250/250). Flying.
[18] Nelia: HP (180/180), SP (180/180), AP (5/5).
[18] Candle: HP (160/160), SP (150/150), AP (5/5), Flask (5/5).
[17] Ambrose: HP (220/220), SP (170/170), AP (5/5), Flask (5/5); Horse: HP (200/200).
[17] Alaria: HP (200/200), SP (150/150), AP (5/5), Flask (5/5).
[12] Ninahisami: HP (120/120), SP (120/120), AP (3/3), Flask (5/5).
[10] Yin: HP (150/150), SP (300/300), AP (3/3); Horse: HP (200/200).
[10] Darkrush: HP (375/375), SP (100/100), AP (3/3). Flying.
[10] Tarantos: HP (300/300), SP (150/150), AP (3/3).
[10] Whitecalm: HP (300/300), SP (250/250), AP (3/3).

Check it...

This is what happens when the village top babe refuses you.

Yes, Alaria loves tenderly

I'll hold off on the rant for a bit, Yashchur. Between battles, I had absolutely no time for an essay.